2023 L.A.S. Vino Pirate Blend

Nic Peterkin has never been one to follow the Margaret River rulebook. The Pirate Blend is the ultimate proof of that - a trio of Portuguese varieties (Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, and Sousao) inspired by Nic’s time making wine in Portugal. We’ve tracked this wine since its first release, and it always feels a bit wild and untamed, even though there’s some seriously savvy winemaking behind the scenes.

The 2023 season in Yallingup was a beauty, with warm, even weather giving these 40-year-old dry-grown vines plenty of clarity. Nic puts in the hard yards with hand-picking and berry sorting before giving the wine 18 months in barrique to knit together. It’s a long stint in oak, but it’s exactly what’s needed to soften the edges of such dark, concentrated fruit.

It’s loaded with plum compote, blueberry, and dark chocolate, backed by sweet spices like cinnamon and clove. The tannins are silky and the finish has an exotic, cocoa-like grip that hangs around. It stands completely apart from the usual Cabernet-heavy landscape of the region, and it’s easily one of the most characterful reds we've seen this year.

Want to see what is on the cutting edge of Margaret River? The Pirate Blend is it!

93 points
"Mostly touriga nacional, with a fair whack of tinta cão and a decent glug of souzao. As usual, it’s an excellent combo. Give it some air space, as it’s a touch reductive when first opened, but that also adds a pleasing meaty/gamey character to the dark fruit. This is studded with Christmas cake spices – think star anise and cinnamon, even a touch of black pepper. Fuller-bodied, with plentiful tannins and ultra-refreshing acidity."
- Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)